Review: The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked this novel, although the ending didn't quite seem like it should be the end. I'm not even exactly sure why I feel that way, just it was all the sudden done, and I didn't feel like the story had really been brought to a close.

Review: Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a really good story, I had never thought about how society ladies weren't allowed to work because that would be demeaning to them and their families. There was a point about 3/4 of the way through this book where I thought the issue with "The Colonel" was being dragged out a bit, and then the conclusion seemed to wrap up a bit too fast, but overall, a good read, and I will probably read more in this series in the future.

Review: Stanley in Space by Jeff Brown

Stanley in Space by Jeff Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another great story about Stanley Lambchop (aka Flat Stanley, although he's not flat in this adventure) and his family. This one has the Lambchop family going to space on a mission for the President. When they arrive at the planet of Tyrra, they find the residents there were not really being friendly when they sent their message. Stanley and his family are almost captured by the Tyrrans, until they realize they are only three inches tall. After becoming friends with the Tyrran people the Lambchops find out the Tyrrans are really in trouble and need their help. Stanley comes up with a plan to help them!

Review: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This was an ok book ... I didn't think it was anything to rave about. I think it probably qualifies as historical fiction, but I didn't get that until after I had finished it and perhaps that's why I didn't really think it was that great. Perhaps if I had gone into reading it with the mindset that it was historical fiction I would have felt differently about it.

2011 Chunkster Reading Challenge

This challenge is being hosted again by caribousmom over at http://chunksterchallenge.blogspot.com/.  The challenge runs February 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012.

Below are the details and sign ups for 2011 ... I've made a few changes which I hope you will like...ie: I've added another level of participation AND I've changed the number of books you need to read for each level.

Definition of a Chunkster:

• A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) ... A chunkster should be a challenge.
• If you read large type books your book will need to be 525 pages or more ... The average large type book is 10-15% longer or more so I think that was a fair estimate.

The Rules:

• No Audio books in the chunkster. It just doesn't seem right. Words on paper for this one folks.
• No e-Books allowed - we are reading traditional, fat books for this challenge.
• Short Stories and Essay collections will not be counted.
• Books may crossover with other challenges
• Anyone may join. If you don't have a blog, just leave me a comment on this post with your progress (and to let me know you are playing)
• You don't need to list your books ahead of time.
• Once you pick a level, that's it...you're committed to that level!

You must pick a level of participation:

1. The Chubby Chunkster - this option is for the reader who wants to dabble in large tomes, but really doesn't want to commit to much more than that. FOUR Chunksters is all you need to finish this challenge.
2. The Plump Primer - this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to SIX Chunksters over the next twelve months.
3. Do These Books Make my Butt Look Big? - this option is for the reader who can't resist bigger and bigger books and wants to commit to SIX Chunksters from the following categories: 2 books which are between 450 - 550 pages in length; 2 books which are 551 - 750 pages in length; 2 books which are GREATER than 750 pages in length (for ideas, please refer to the book suggestions page for some books which fit into these categories).
4. Mor-book-ly Obese - This is for the truly out of control chunkster. For this level of challenge you must commit to EIGHT or more Chunksters of which three tomes MUST be 750 pages or more. You know you want to.....go on and give in to your cravings.

1. The Book Thief (Zusak) -- 757 p. -- 3/4/11*
2. The American Heiress (Goodwin) 465 p. -- 4/7/11 
3. Her Daughter's Dream (Rivers) -- 564 p. -- 7/23/11

*Although in the US, this book is aimed at the YA market, when it was originally published in Australia, it was published as an adult book.  I think it appeals to both and for those reasons I am counting it here.

Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story of a young girl during the holocaust is different than most as it is narrated by "Death". Overall a good book -- one that gives the reader many different perspectives of what it was like for various people during that time period.

Review: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really liked this book and look forward to reading the next two in the series. This book really makes you think about how life would be different if things suddenly changed drastically, and if you would be prepared, or forward thinking enough to put yourself in a good position to survive. The only thing that really bothered me about this book was that they had water through most of the book, but did not have electricity very often at all. I don't know how they were having running water -- with no electricity the water pump wouldn't work ... other than that, I thought most of it was relatively believable. I think anyone from about 5th grade on up would enjoy this book.